This research explores innovative brine management strategies for desalination plants, focusing on mineral recovery and renewable energy integration to enhance sustainability in water-scarce regions like Qatar. Mineral analysis of desalination brine revealed significant concentrations of magnesium (1290–1410 mg/L) and calcium (450–490 mg/L), demonstrating the feasibility of economically viable recovery. Using AI-powered optimization, the study improved mineral recovery efficiency by 10%, resulting in an estimated 5% reduction in energy consumption. Furthermore, integrating waste heat recovery for solar evaporation boosted system efficiency to 65–72%, depending on plant conditions, significantly lowering operational energy requirements. However, several challenges remain. Low lithium concentrations (0.30–0.40 mg/L) restrict the economic feasibility of lithium recovery, while seasonal variations in solar energy availability reduce energy efficiency during low-radiation periods. To overcome these limitations, future research should prioritize the development of advanced lithium extraction technologies, the exploration of hybrid renewable energy systems, and the expansion of AI models with larger datasets to improve adaptability and predictive accuracy. The findings have broad implications for global desalination practices, offering strategies to transform brine from a waste product into a valuable resource, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic sustainability. This study provides actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, advocating for the adoption of eco-friendly brine management techniques to advance sustainable desalination.